Dr. Francis Odemerho

Areas of Research Interest:Fluvial Geomorphology and Land Degradation.

How Long Have You Been in the U.S.? To finish studies from 1979-1982, then came back in 1990 and has been here nineteen years since then.

How Long Have You Been at SIUE?Since 1991

What Do You Like Most About SIUE?SIUE is a friendly campus with great funding opportunity to develop one's research activities to the fullest. In addition, the small village community of Edwardsville with a big city (St. Louis) nearby is a plus. Edwardsville is peaceful and great for raising kids, while the nearby big city of St. Louis meets all my city services and needs.

What Do You Find To Be the Biggest Difference Between the U.S. and Your Home Country?Dr. Odemerho finds the U.S. to be more organized and predictable than Nigeria. For example, when he goes home to his house here in the U.S. he can trust that the lights and water will turn on and does not worry that the government might have disabled those services. This would not always be the case in Nigeria. Also, Dr. Odemerho finds himself feeling safer in the U.S., especially after dusk. He is more at peace here, knowing that if he needed to travel or go out at night, the risk of robbery and/or violence is not so great.

Interesting Facts:Dr. Odemerho enjoys using the Internet to search for information on current activities in Africa and Nigeria in particular. As a leader of a couple of Nigerian cultural associations, Dr. Odemerho likes to stay aware of any changes happening in Nigeria. Additionally, he enjoys authentic Nigerian food, recommending Nigerian joloff rice served with dodo (fried ripe plantain).